Toy Hammock

Description:  This Toy Hammock is a great Macrame projects for kids or beginners.  When it’s finished, children (or adults) can put stuffed animals and other toys inside, to organize them.  Try making it with a rainbow of colors by purchasing small quantities of cord, each a different color.  The finished size is approximately 54 inches long.

IMPORTANT: This hammock is not sturdy enough for people or pets, and is intended for TOYS ONLY.

Supplies Needed: 

• 4mm cord or thick yarn  (288 yards for entire project)
• 2 Dowels, each 3/8-inch thick and 18 inches long
• 2 Rings, each 1-inch in diameter
• 2 large beads that fit the dowels, or dowel caps
• Glue
• Beads or Buttons (optional)

• Spiral Stitch
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Double Half Hitch Mount

Cutting & Preparing Cords

• Cut 56 strands, each 5 yards long
• Cut 2 strands, each 18 inches long
• Cut 4 strands, each 60 inches long

Prepare the ends by applying glue, wax, or tape to prevent unraveling.  See Cord Preparation for more details.

Creating the Hangers

Step 1:  Take 4 of the 5-yard cords and pass them through one of the rings.  Center them at the bottom of the ring, so the ends are even.  Make a Wrapped Knot just below the ring, using one 18-inch cord to make the knot.  When finished, you will have 8 strands to work with.  Trim the remainder of the short strand, and apply glue to the entire Wrapped Knot.

Step 2:  Make 2 Spiral Stitch sennits (chains), using 4 strands each.  Stop when the sennits are 8 inches long. 

Step 3:  Switch cords, so the filler cords are used to tie the remaining knots, and the working cords become the fillers.  If you wish, you can add a bead or novelty button. Continue the Spiral Stitch for another 8 inches.

Designing the Body

Step 5:  Attach 48 of the 5-yard cords to one of the dowels.  Use the Double Half Hitch Mount technique, leaving a 12-inch tail above the dowel and the rest below it.  Make sure all the knots are next to each other, and there is space left on the dowel for the Hangers.  Apply the large beads to both ends of the dowel.

Step 6:  Use the long portion of the cords and tie the first row Alternating Square Knots.  Each knot should be tied with 4 strands (2 working cords and 2 fillers). 

Step 7:  Continue to tie rows of ASK until the body of the Toy Hammock is approximately 20 inches long.  If you have more than 15 inches of cord left, tie additional rows of Alternating Square Knots.  You need 13 inches to complete the hammock.

Attaching the Hangers

Step 9:  Attach each of the cords from one Hanger design to one of the dowels, with DHH.  The 4 strands from one sennit should be attached to the right of the knots for the body, near the right end of the dowel.  The other 4 strands need to be secured on the left end of the dowel. 

Step 10:  Repeat the process at the other end of the Toy Hammock design, using the other hanger design.

Finishing Touches

Step 11: To strengthen the sides of the Toy Hammock, attach 2 of the 60-inch cords near the right end of one of the dowels.  Use the DHH Mount to attach them, and leave a 10-inch tail.  Attach the remaining two 60-inch strands to the left end of the same dowel. 

Wrap them through spaces along the edge of the hammock, every fourth row.  When you get to the other end, attach them to the dowel with DHH.

Step 12: Tie a row of tight Square Knots. They should rest right up against the dowels.  Do this at both ends of the design.

Step 13:  Finish off all the remaining tails using one of the following methods. Make sure you trim them first so they are all the same length.

You can apply beads or buttons to the ends, followed by a Barrel Knot.

You could unravel each of the strands and brush if you want a fluffy trim.

Try tying a Matthew Walker Knot at the end of each cord.

Make a Wrapped Knot around groups of 13 cords, using scrap material.  This creates a series of Tassels.

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